Can My Boy Jack Secure 2018 Louisiana Derby

The 2018 Louisiana Derby may or may not be a two horse race depending on who you ask. My Boy Jack is the opening line favorite at 5/2 thanks to a convincing Southwest Stakes victory, but he’s bookended by Bravazo on the inside as the 7/2 second choice. Which one is the best bet?

Bravazo stole the Rebel Stakes by sneaking along the inside in a late charge that saw him battle Snapper Sinclair all the way to the wire, while dusting three favorites that included Noble Indy, who is also a 7/2 shot in the 2018 Louisiana Stakes. Horse racing remains a “what you done for me lately” sport, and Bravazo earning the Rebel win as a 21/1 longshot is still fresh in most people’s memories.

Being stuck along the inside shouldn’t be an issue overall for Bravazo, who is my pick to win the 2018 Louisiana Stakes. He’s just been a different horse since returning from a 10th place finish in the 2017 Kentucky Jockey Club. Bravazo stormed an allowance and then showed off his new, more mature striking power with a resounding Rebel victory.

It’s obvious that My Boy Jack deserves your consideration. He’s long been touted as a horse of intrigue along the derby trail and is finally starting to put it all together. Noble Indy is a good pick given the feeling that he’s actually a reasonable threat, but I haven’t seen anything from him in competition to suggest that he has the fight that you need to grind out a win.

The balance of the 2018 Louisiana Derby is filled with longshots, and the best of the bunch is Givemaminut at 20/1.

With 100 points up for grabs along with a nominal $1,000,000 purse, the 2018 Louisiana Derby is going to kick off the major Kentucky Derby prep races, and the favorite is usually a strong bet. This is not a place where longshots thrive. So My Boy Jack and Bravazo are the takes from my point of view.